Tottenham Hotspur have spent most of the season battling an injury list that seems to grow every few weeks, yet there were small signs of relief when several important players returned to the matchday squad for the recent North London Derby against Arsenal.
Even though the result was disappointing, the presence of familiar faces on the bench at least gave supporters a sense that the worst of the crisis might be easing.
Spurs have not enjoyed the consistency they hoped for this season, and much of that has come down to missing too many key players at the same time.
The team welcomed back Mohammed Kudus, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Randal Kolo Muani for that derby defeat, and all four could play a part in the upcoming fixtures.
Tottenham now prepare for a meeting with the defending Champions League winners before turning their attention back to Premier League action against Fulham. These matches come at a moment when the club desperately needs positive results, and the availability of more players will provide a boost to Thomas Frank as he tries to rebuild momentum.
One of the players Spurs fans have been waiting on is Dominic Solanke, who has yet to start a competitive match this season. Frank has made it clear that the striker’s return must be handled with care.
He explained that Solanke is not quite ready and the staff want to avoid any risk of a setback, which makes a strict timeline difficult. The hope is that he will finally be available during the busy festive period, giving Spurs a natural goalscoring option they have been lacking.
James Maddison’s situation is far more serious. He faces a long recovery after suffering an ACL injury, and early expectations suggest he will not return until the summer of 2026.
Losing a player with his creativity, leadership and calm influence has been a major blow. Spurs know they must plan most of the next campaign without him, and replacing his spark is one of the toughest challenges they face.
Another long-term absentee is Dejan Kulusevski. The Swedish winger underwent knee surgery back in April and is still working his way back to full fitness.
Thomas Frank acknowledged that Kulusevski is not even back on the training pitch yet, though the hope is that he will return sometime in January. His direct style, pressing ability and work rate are qualities Spurs have sorely missed, especially in tight matches.
There is better news regarding Radu Dragusin, who has taken meaningful steps in his rehabilitation. The defender played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier this month, his first match action in nine months.
He also trained with his national team during the recent international break. Frank said that Dragusin is getting “very close” to being selectable again, though he still needs a little more match fitness to be considered fully available.
Brennan Johnson is sidelined for different reasons, having been suspended after receiving a red card in the Champions League win over Copenhagen.
Frank described the decision as harsh, saying Johnson’s slide challenge only looked bad because of still images rather than the full speed of the play. The forward will return in time for the Fulham game on November 29.
Ben Davies is also close to returning after an injury picked up during the last international break. He has just completed his first full training session back with the squad, which Frank described as a positive step.
The same applies to Kota Takai, a summer signing who has struggled with both a quad issue and plantar fasciitis. He has also trained with the group for the first time, and Spurs expect him to be available some time in December.
Yves Bissouma remains out after suffering a ligament injury to his ankle on international duty. The midfielder required minor surgery and will be absent for several weeks, though no clear return date has been given.
Tottenham’s season has been shaped by injuries, and the challenge now is to navigate a crucial run of games while gradually reintegrating players who have been out for long stretches.
The squad is slowly becoming stronger again, but with some key names still missing for months, the team must rely on depth, discipline and the ability to adapt quickly. The coming weeks will reveal whether this group can cope with the pressure and rediscover the rhythm needed to compete at the highest level.
Listed Injury Summary (as requested):
- Dominic Solanke – nearing return, expected December/January.
- James Maddison – out until summer 2026 (ACL).
- Dejan Kulusevski – return expected January 2026.
- Radu Dragusin – close to return, expected December 2026.
- Brennan Johnson – suspended, back November 29 vs Fulham.
- Ben Davies – trained again, expected December.
- Yves Bissouma – ankle ligament injury, out for weeks.
- Kota Takai – returning from quad and plantar fasciitis issues, expected December.
